(Update 4:20 p.m.) Media outlets are reporting that the fire is finally under control. Also, scratch the information below about heading to the Red Cross in the Western Addition later tonight to help victims. If you want to help, just go to the downtown San Francisco Red Cross at 85 2nd Street (at Mission).
tomorrow taking donations of clothes, etc.
(Update 2:23 p.m.): Police Captain Denis O'Leary is out on the scene and tells us that three firefighters and one civilian have been injured in the blaze. Both buildings have partially collapsed, but firefighters have gone back inside the structures to fight the flames. Traffic is shut down one block in every direction around the fire, which is still roaring loudly through the neighborhood.
(Update 1:03 p.m.): Police Captain Denis O'Leary is at the scene and tells us the fire is out of control. A commander has ordered all firefighters and police out of the buildings because they are concerned the structures will collapse at this point. "Erin, I have not seen anything like this in years -- It's big," he says.
There are no civilian injuries and one firefighter was being treated at the scene, O'Leary says. The fire started in a building on the north side of Golden Gate and then spread to a neighboring apartment complex.
Check back for more updates.
(Update 12:53 p.m.): KTVU is reporting that massive gust of winds are causing the blaze to spread to a four-alarm fire. A large apartment and a Victorian are engulfed in flames. No word on any injuries.
Original story (12:19 p.m.): A mega fire is burning in the Western Addition, near Alamo Square, fire officials say. We called the Fire Department, but an administrator who answered the phone said everyone who could give us the details was at the scene.
All she could tell us at this point is that it was a three-alarm fire at
Pierce Street and Golden Gate Avenue. "It's pretty busy over here," she
said before hanging up the phone.
Check out the live footage of the fire here:
